WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.680 Well, quite a lot has changed in a week. 00:00:04.480 --> 00:00:10.279 Enormous things have happened, but one of the biggest things that happened is the transition we're making this morning. 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:19.660 Because if you were here last week, we just got out of Egypt, and today we're just going into Ephesus, which is a massive change. 00:00:20.219 --> 00:00:22.580 We've changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament. 00:00:22.740 --> 00:00:26.100 We've changed from narrative to epistle. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:33.380 We've changed from the covenant community being Old Testament Israel to it being the New Testament church. 00:00:33.480 --> 00:00:39.500 We've changed continents from Africa to kind of the bridge between Europe and Asia. 00:00:39.660 --> 00:00:47.719 We've changed country from Egypt to Asia Minor, or if you're a 21st century person, Turkey. 00:00:48.880 --> 00:00:52.719 And we're going to study Ephesians, and Ephesians is my favorite letter. 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:57.619 So I am so excited to be able to start it off for us this morning. 00:00:57.780 --> 00:00:59.100 It is a majestic letter. 00:00:59.960 --> 00:01:01.840 It's an enormous letter. 00:01:01.960 --> 00:01:09.099 This is what John Mackay, he's Scottish, but he was the former president of Princeton Theological Seminary said. 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:13.879 To this book of Ephesians, I owe my life. 00:01:14.739 --> 00:01:19.239 At the age of 14, reading it for the first time, I saw a new world. 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:21.340 Everything was now fresh. 00:01:21.340 --> 00:01:25.579 I had a new outlook, new experiences, new attitudes to other people. 00:01:26.020 --> 00:01:29.780 I loved God anew, and Jesus became the center of everything. 00:01:30.500 --> 00:01:35.500 I had been quickened by this letter, and was now really alive. 00:01:36.540 --> 00:01:42.020 And when he came to Edinburgh in 1948 to lecture at New College, 00:01:42.700 --> 00:01:49.140 he spent a whole autumn term preaching on the book of Ephesians, and this is what he wrote. 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:56.480 Ephesians is the greatest, maturest, and for our time most relevant of all Paul's works. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:00.239 For here is distilled the essence of the true Christian religion, 00:02:00.859 --> 00:02:04.659 the most authoritative, consummate compendium of the Christian faith. 00:02:05.099 --> 00:02:06.799 This letter is pure music. 00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:11.979 What we read here is truth that sings, doctrine set to music. 00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:16.939 Now one of the things I love to do, being the pastor of this church, 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:20.179 is to sample the many coffee shops there are in Brunsfield. 00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:25.139 I have particular favorites, and depending on who I'm meeting and what the purpose is, 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:26.959 we'll go to a different place. 00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:29.519 So if it's a normal meeting, we'll go to Costa. 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:32.880 If it's a breakfast, we'll always be at Project Coffee. 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:37.320 If it's a difficult meeting, we'll go to the chocolate tree. 00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:43.000 And what I've discovered in the chocolate tree is that they sell chocolate cake, 00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:45.439 which is underwhelmingly small. 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:48.960 You get it, and it's like this little triangle. 00:02:50.420 --> 00:02:52.700 And you think, 3.70 for that. 00:02:52.699 --> 00:02:56.239 And do you know what? 00:02:56.280 --> 00:02:57.479 I've been there four times. 00:02:57.699 --> 00:03:01.299 Because you're all quite happy people, so the chocolate tree is not needed that much. 00:03:03.079 --> 00:03:04.579 And I can never finish it. 00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:09.299 This tiny little triangle of chocolate cake, and I have a voracious appetite. 00:03:10.379 --> 00:03:12.419 And I can never finish it because it's so rich. 00:03:13.259 --> 00:03:14.500 It's so sweet. 00:03:15.299 --> 00:03:16.759 And it is so chocolatey. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:22.379 And if we're not careful, Ephesians can be like the chocolate cake from the chocolate tree. 00:03:23.459 --> 00:03:24.799 That we can't finish it. 00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:28.479 Because it's so densely packed. 00:03:28.859 --> 00:03:32.579 So full of great theological things. 00:03:33.399 --> 00:03:34.759 And so we're going to have to go steady. 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:37.679 We're going to have to take small bites at a time. 00:03:37.919 --> 00:03:42.759 And we're going to have to chew it properly, or else we'll have indigestion that will last us till well after Easter. 00:03:45.839 --> 00:03:47.120 So we've got to go careful. 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:50.780 It is densely theologically rich. 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:57.560 It is like a doxological death by chocolate that is loaded with doctrine. 00:03:57.680 --> 00:03:59.120 We're going to be here for 12 weeks. 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:00.840 We're going to do it in two chunks. 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:04.780 And we're going to have a great time and learn wonderful things about the Lord Jesus. 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:09.419 But if I say to you, Moby, what do you think of? 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:12.860 If I say, Moby, what do you think of? 00:04:12.900 --> 00:04:14.740 I dare say you're thinking of one of two things. 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:16.939 And it will be largely dependent on your age. 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:20.540 If you're seasoned, you'll be thinking Moby Dick. 00:04:20.779 --> 00:04:24.180 The big white whale, the arch nemesis of Captain Ahab. 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:27.779 And the book written by Herman Melville. 00:04:28.339 --> 00:04:30.279 That great American author. 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:40.500 Or if you're young, or trendy, or both, you'll be thinking of Moby, the New York-based electronic music DJ. 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:44.339 And if you're not thinking of either, you just missed. 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:48.059 You're just kind of middle-aged and you missed both things. 00:04:48.060 --> 00:04:57.480 And the really interesting thing about Moby is his proper name is Richard Melville Hall. 00:04:58.040 --> 00:04:59.100 It's his real name. 00:04:59.620 --> 00:05:07.160 And the reason his real middle name is Melville is because he is a distant relative of Herman Melville, the one who wrote Moby Dick. 00:05:07.420 --> 00:05:08.000 That's free. 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:09.860 You can bring that up over lunch. 00:05:09.860 --> 00:05:15.240 But what you may not know about Moby is that Moby is a Christian. 00:05:16.220 --> 00:05:18.560 And he was on the front cover of Relevant Magazine. 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:20.800 And this is what it said. 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:28.340 Moby, why he loves Jesus but not the church. 00:05:29.460 --> 00:05:32.199 Moby, why he loves Jesus but not the church. 00:05:32.780 --> 00:05:36.360 And this is an incredibly prevalent view in our day. 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:40.360 We really like what Jesus has to say, but church is a bit of a hassle. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:46.840 We really like Jesus, but hanging out with his people is a bit too much effort. 00:05:48.420 --> 00:05:54.600 And what we need, if we're not going to be Mobyites, that's a new word, is we need the book of Ephesians. 00:05:55.780 --> 00:06:01.920 Because the book of Ephesians tells us that we cannot love Jesus but loathe his bride, the church. 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:08.180 Have you ever had that in your life where you have a friend who gets married to someone you don't really like and it's just awkward? 00:06:09.140 --> 00:06:12.360 Every time you have them around for fajitas, it's just really tense. 00:06:14.020 --> 00:06:15.800 And Ephesians tells us we can't do that. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:23.980 If we love Jesus, we've got to love and invest and be part of his bride, the church. 00:06:24.680 --> 00:06:29.420 We can't just have one-dimensional Christianity that it's me and Jesus. 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:34.000 We've got to have three-dimensional Christianity that it's me and Jesus. 00:06:35.259 --> 00:06:38.120 Me and Jesus' people that I'm called to belong with. 00:06:39.280 --> 00:06:42.819 And me and Jesus and Jesus' people pressing out into the world. 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:43.560 Three dimensions. 00:06:46.400 --> 00:06:50.220 And so we need Ephesians and it's going to be so helpful to us. 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:55.860 Ephesus at the time of writing is a big metropolis, about 300,000 people. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:59.920 It's the most important city in the Roman province of Asia Minor. 00:07:01.139 --> 00:07:04.379 And it is the cultural melting pot where east meets west. 00:07:06.020 --> 00:07:09.280 Dominating the city skyline is the temple of Artemis. 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:12.199 Do you remember in Acts 19 when they chant for three hours, 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:14.180 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:16.560 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:21.120 And it's a church that Paul knows really well. 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:26.639 We have more about Ephesus over a longer period than any other New Testament church. 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:31.699 Paul brings the gospel to Ephesus in Acts chapter 19. 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:39.060 Luke gives it more column inches than any other city in Acts. 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:45.480 We then have in Acts 20 the tearful goodbye between the Apostle Paul and the Ephesian elders 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:46.860 when they gather at Miletus. 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:54.280 We read in 1 Timothy 1 that Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to curtail and combat false teaching. 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:57.840 Then by the time we get to Revelation chapter 2, 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:00.800 we have a progress report from Jesus himself. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:03.879 And he says three things about the church. 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:04.939 He says, 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:26.699 And then probably the most helpful thing we have is this book of Ephesians, 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:31.500 this letter that Paul penned to the church sometime when he was in prison. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:34.740 And it is an incredible letter. 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:40.080 It's probably a circular letter meant for all the churches in Asia Minor. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:43.940 This verse we're going to read, verse 1, where it says, 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:45.519 To the saints in Ephesus. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:49.060 That's probably a later edition as the early manuscripts don't have that. 00:08:49.139 --> 00:08:54.379 So it's probably a circular letter, but it becomes synonymous with Ephesus. 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:58.600 And it's a letter of two halves that we're going to see. 00:08:58.659 --> 00:09:01.539 The first half, chapters 1 to 3, a doctrine. 00:09:01.539 --> 00:09:03.679 The second half of duty. 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:06.959 Or exposition and then exhortation. 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:10.740 Or what God has done and then what we must do. 00:09:11.319 --> 00:09:14.279 And therefore we're going to fill our lives full of the Lord Jesus. 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:19.299 And then we're going to work out what that looks like Monday to Saturday. 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:27.699 The letter seeks to shape the believer by reminding them how wonderful God's work is in Christ. 00:09:28.079 --> 00:09:31.179 How significant their unity is in Christ. 00:09:31.579 --> 00:09:35.019 And what living for Christ looks like in life. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:39.079 So let's dig in. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:41.419 Let's get to work. 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:43.679 And start reading and not talking. 00:09:44.419 --> 00:09:46.240 It is a bit like Saving Private Ryan. 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:49.000 If you've seen that film, there's no kind of warm-up. 00:09:49.319 --> 00:09:51.740 The first thing you see is this enormous battle scene. 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:53.579 It's like that in Ephesians. 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:54.600 There's no warm-up. 00:09:55.000 --> 00:10:00.100 What we're reading today is like the biggest vista of salvation history you could ever hope to see. 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:04.399 And so we're going to have to really concentrate and hold on to our hats. 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:08.240 It's also one massive sentence what we're going to read. 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:09.980 Verse 3 to verse 14. 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:12.460 There's not one iota of punctuation anywhere. 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:15.519 It's almost like Paul just gushes it out. 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:19.800 But we're going to have to breathe because I can't do it in one breath. 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:26.700 Martin Lloyd-Jones preached 27 sermons on these 11 verses. 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:30.700 And we're going to be done by 25 to 1. 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:34.780 This is what Paul writes. 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:40.140 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, 00:10:40.640 --> 00:10:44.140 to God's holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus, 00:10:44.780 --> 00:10:48.980 grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:53.440 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:58.000 who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 00:10:58.400 --> 00:11:04.400 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. 00:11:05.420 --> 00:11:10.060 In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, 00:11:11.060 --> 00:11:13.280 in accordance with his pleasure and will, 00:11:14.140 --> 00:11:16.280 to the praise of his glorious grace, 00:11:16.520 --> 00:11:19.360 which he has freely given us in the one he loves. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:22.259 In him we have redemption through his blood, 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.879 the forgiveness of sins, 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:26.539 in accordance with the riches of God's grace, 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:29.720 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:32.419 He made known to us the mystery of his will, 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:35.580 according to his good pleasure which he purposed in Christ, 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:39.460 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment, 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:44.259 to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:47.220 In him we were also chosen, 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:50.419 having been predestined according to the plan of him 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:54.019 who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.519 in order that we, 00:11:55.819 --> 00:11:57.980 who were the first to put our hope in Christ, 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:00.259 might be for the praise of his glory. 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:03.340 And you also were included in Christ 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:05.240 when you heard the message of truth, 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:06.799 the gospel of your salvation, 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:08.240 when you believed. 00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:10.779 You were marked in him with a seal, 00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:12.519 the promised Holy Spirit, 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:15.439 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance 00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:19.100 until the redemption of those who are God's possession 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:22.559 to the praise of his glorious grace. 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.159 Well, 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:28.360 doing that in one breath would just about kill you, I think. 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:33.460 The first thing we see is blessed. 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:36.019 Verse 3 is like the big sentence, 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:37.360 the big theme, 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.120 the thesis 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:41.100 that he's going to unpack in the following verses. 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:43.680 It is a doxology. 00:12:44.580 --> 00:12:44.920 He says, 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:45.899 this is who I am, 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:47.080 this is who you are, 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:49.460 and his big headline is praise. 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:54.620 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:58.200 He's doing this to worship God. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:01.759 Praise is mentioned four times 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:03.899 in this chapter in verse 3, 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.060 in verse 6, 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:06.040 in verse 12, 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:08.919 and at the very end in verse 14. 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:11.339 And it's a funny thing, isn't it, 00:13:11.339 --> 00:13:12.219 that in our world, 00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:14.740 people praise the funniest things. 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:17.620 So I thought I was going to be quite middle-aged 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:19.699 and order some new kitchen utensils. 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:22.839 And the only kitchen utensil I really know how to use 00:13:22.839 --> 00:13:23.679 is the wooden spoon. 00:13:24.839 --> 00:13:26.959 So I was reading a review on Amazon.com, 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:28.620 and this is what one woman wrote 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:30.039 about wooden spoons. 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:33.339 The spoons arrived promptly 00:13:33.339 --> 00:13:35.039 and in excellent condition. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.899 I put them to work straight away. 00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:40.219 They are absolutely marvelous. 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.879 I'm overjoyed with my purchase. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:44.799 They enhance my cooking experience no end. 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:48.919 I don't know how I survived without them for so long. 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.980 These spoons are my savior. 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:55.539 The best £2.20 I've ever spent. 00:13:56.339 --> 00:13:57.719 It's incredible praise, isn't it? 00:13:57.719 --> 00:13:58.559 It seems so pathetic. 00:13:58.559 --> 00:14:02.899 And yet what Paul is praising in this letter 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:05.859 is the only rightful person 00:14:05.859 --> 00:14:09.279 in all the universe that we should praise. 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:12.579 There's an amazing wordplay going on. 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:14.219 That word praise at the beginning 00:14:14.219 --> 00:14:15.279 is the word blessed. 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.919 So literally it says, 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.699 blessed be the God and Father 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.939 of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:22.479 who has blessed us in the heavenly realms 00:14:22.479 --> 00:14:24.079 with every spiritual blessing. 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:25.819 We bless God, 00:14:25.819 --> 00:14:27.439 we speak rightly of Him, 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:31.220 because He's poured out so much blessing on us. 00:14:31.400 --> 00:14:33.640 He has literally given us the kitchen sink. 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:37.120 Just poured it out and poured it out. 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.960 And therefore, 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:39.220 and therefore, 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:40.539 Paul says, 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.440 speak rightly, 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:45.060 speak adoringly about you. 00:14:45.179 --> 00:14:47.620 We bless Him because He's blessed us 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:49.299 with every spiritual blessing. 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:52.480 And He's done it in the heavenly realms. 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:55.500 He's done it in the heavenly realms. 00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:56.299 Now what does that mean? 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:59.019 It's a word exclusive to Ephesians. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.159 It is a way of saying 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:03.980 this isn't the only reality. 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:06.019 There is a spiritual reality 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.860 above this physical reality. 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:10.100 A larger reality exists 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.919 where Christ is already exalted. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:15.419 Where believers participate in His victory 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:18.080 and where spiritual forces are opposed. 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:21.179 Though believers live physically on this earth, 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:23.199 they receive spiritual resources 00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:24.239 and their identity 00:15:24.239 --> 00:15:26.279 from this higher plane. 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.339 That's what it's talking about. 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:30.559 Spiritual realm. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:32.059 Heavenly reality. 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.539 Literally the heavenlies. 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:36.199 That's what Paul 00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:38.399 is praising God 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:40.459 because He's been included 00:15:40.459 --> 00:15:42.379 and blessed in that realm. 00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:43.879 And so he unveils 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.599 four massive blessings. 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:48.580 And the first one is this. 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:50.779 Chosen and adopted. 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:53.480 They're in verses 4, 5 and 6. 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.820 For He chose us. 00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:56.240 Verse 5. 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:58.120 He predestined us for adoption 00:15:58.120 --> 00:16:00.100 to sonship 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:02.100 through Jesus Christ. 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:03.180 Now when we talk about 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:04.220 words like choosing 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:06.300 and predestination, 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:09.000 some people's blood pressure spikes. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.220 They want to throw things. 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.540 But I don't think 00:16:12.540 --> 00:16:13.639 that it is that unusual 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.300 in the Bible, 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.379 this idea of choosing. 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.159 I think we see it 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:18.220 all over the place. 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:20.340 Abraham isn't having 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.220 a quiet time 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.580 in Ur of the Chaldeans 00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:23.460 and suddenly thinks 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.360 I'd really like to be 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.019 the progenitor 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.980 of a great nation. 00:16:26.800 --> 00:16:28.379 And I'm going to leave Ur 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.240 and go to a land 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:29.960 that I don't know. 00:16:31.300 --> 00:16:32.800 God sovereignly chooses. 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:34.899 I don't think Noah 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:36.379 is studying nautical engineering 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.580 at Napier University 00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:38.060 in the middle 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:39.460 of the Saudi Arabian desert. 00:16:40.420 --> 00:16:40.639 He says, 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:41.500 I think I'd really like 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.420 to do a little project 00:16:42.420 --> 00:16:43.600 and build a big ark. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:45.139 even though it's not 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:45.820 rained before. 00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:49.120 God seems to sovereignly choose. 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:50.779 Moses, 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:52.600 as we saw in our Exodus series, 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.700 isn't chilling 00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:54.980 in the desert of Midian 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:56.080 and thinks, 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.159 at the age of 80, 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.240 I should really set about 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.120 the emancipation 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.159 of my people in Egypt. 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.060 God meets him 00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:02.820 in a burning bush 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:03.120 and says, 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:03.980 I've chosen you. 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.500 Gideon 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.420 isn't thinking, 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.480 I really like to beat up 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.440 to Midianites. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:12.099 He's hiding in a hole 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.120 as a big wimp. 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:15.339 David isn't the front runner 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.019 for ascension 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:17.019 to Israel's throne. 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.839 He is from a farming family 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:20.420 in the redneck part 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.019 of Israel 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:22.240 with seven more 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.000 impressive brothers 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.779 and yet God 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:25.200 seems to choose. 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.299 Jonah isn't attending 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.319 a Friends of Nineveh 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.019 peace rally 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:30.440 and decides going 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:31.059 as an envoy 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.700 to Assyria 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.779 would be a good idea. 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:35.099 Not at all. 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:35.940 He's a bigoted, 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:36.779 nationalistic, 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:38.240 Israelite supremacist. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.619 God says, 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.559 I've got a job for you. 00:17:40.619 --> 00:17:41.279 I've chosen you 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.180 for this task. 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.980 Levi isn't sitting 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.859 at the dock 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:47.500 at the tax booth 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.160 in Galilee 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:49.119 collecting the money 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:50.399 owed to the Roman government 00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:52.680 from the fishermen 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:54.720 and yet Jesus 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.420 walks straight up 00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:56.220 to him and says, 00:17:56.619 --> 00:17:57.799 follow me. 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.559 Seems there's 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:00.200 some sovereign choosing. 00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:01.119 Yes, they obey 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:03.159 but it seems that God 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:04.399 has taken the initiative. 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.639 Even Paul 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.939 who writes these words 00:18:07.939 --> 00:18:09.539 knows this to be true. 00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:11.339 He's not journeying 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.119 to Damascus 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.739 to attend a 00:18:12.739 --> 00:18:14.299 Christianity Explored course. 00:18:15.239 --> 00:18:16.319 He's going to 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.299 put people in prison 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:19.159 to beat some up 00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:20.379 and kill a few 00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.099 if necessary 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:23.199 and yet Jesus 00:18:23.199 --> 00:18:23.779 meets him 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.379 and says, 00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:26.159 I've got a job for you. 00:18:26.199 --> 00:18:27.199 There seems to be 00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:29.000 on the face of it 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.199 some sovereign choosing. 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:32.559 From the mouth of Jesus 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.899 in John 15, 16 00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:35.379 you did not choose me 00:18:35.379 --> 00:18:37.819 but I chose you. 00:18:39.439 --> 00:18:40.739 Same for you and me 00:18:40.739 --> 00:18:41.219 I think. 00:18:42.159 --> 00:18:43.019 If we're believing 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.959 in Jesus today 00:18:43.959 --> 00:18:44.579 yes, 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:45.879 we put our trust 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.459 in Jesus 00:18:46.459 --> 00:18:49.139 but it seems 00:18:49.139 --> 00:18:50.519 that he initiated 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.139 it. 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:53.399 He was pursuing us 00:18:53.399 --> 00:18:54.599 by his grace. 00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:56.919 That's a really good thing 00:18:56.919 --> 00:18:57.500 I think. 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:59.119 It's almost 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:00.160 a much nicer feeling 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:01.119 to be the chosen 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:02.819 rather than the chooser. 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.960 It's always nicer 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.539 to be the one 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.559 proposed to 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:08.180 certainly less nerve-wracking 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.519 than to be the one 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.240 proposed to 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.599 rather than the proposer. 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.480 And that seems to be 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:14.099 what Paul 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:15.779 is talking about here. 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:18.039 That God has initiated 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.119 he stepped towards 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.180 each of us 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:22.099 to offer grace. 00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:25.139 relentlessly pursuing us. 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:27.399 And he started 00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:28.119 about this plan 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:29.019 before the creation 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.779 of the world. 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:30.899 Now I don't care 00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:32.039 how old you look. 00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:34.079 You weren't there 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.899 before the creation 00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:36.480 of the world. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.359 God has been 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.740 in this initiating 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.439 phase 00:19:40.439 --> 00:19:42.579 stepping towards 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:43.599 each of us 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:44.519 in grace. 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:46.099 that we might 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.859 put our faith 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.680 in his son. 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.420 Notice that he's 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:49.900 chosen us 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:50.559 for a reason 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.720 to be holy 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.680 and blameless 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:53.519 in his sight. 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:55.160 That as we accept 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:55.740 this grace 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.660 he sets about 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.379 work 00:19:57.379 --> 00:19:59.740 to change us 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:02.240 to transform us 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.920 justifying us 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.759 giving holiness 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:07.440 objectively 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:09.240 but then changing us 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.480 sanctifying us 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.460 to make us holy 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.839 subjectively. 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:15.980 notice in verse 5 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:17.139 it is in love. 00:20:17.919 --> 00:20:18.559 We're not talking 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.399 about a mechanical 00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:20.459 celestial lottery 00:20:20.459 --> 00:20:21.439 the motivator 00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:21.799 for this 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.079 is because 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.079 he loves us 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:24.879 and he's chosen us 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:25.679 and he's stepping 00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:27.279 towards each of us. 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.119 Notice as well 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:31.259 this idea of adoption. 00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:34.299 Adoption is always 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.159 at the bequest 00:20:35.159 --> 00:20:36.240 of the parents 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.819 I think. 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:40.000 There are many children 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.919 who just force 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:41.799 themselves on two 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.720 adults and say 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:45.240 adopt me. 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:47.740 And God says 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:48.500 I've adopted 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.460 speaking of children 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:51.700 God says 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:53.579 I've adopted you. 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.799 I've adopted you 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.339 for a purpose 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:55.900 and adoption 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:56.839 in this culture 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:58.180 is a big deal. 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:00.059 It's not only 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:02.880 status being 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.740 brought into a family 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.319 but it's also 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.100 vocational. 00:21:06.100 --> 00:21:07.140 That you always do 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:07.960 what your father did. 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:08.980 If your dad was a baker 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.720 you were a baker. 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.860 If your dad was a fisherman 00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:12.039 you were a fisherman 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:13.479 if your dad was a carpenter. 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:15.939 You ended up a carpenter. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.859 Just put your hand up 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.779 if you do the same job 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:19.279 your father or mother did. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.799 Not many. 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.199 A few. 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.199 More than I thought. 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.879 But in this culture 00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:27.679 you did what your father did. 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.219 And so Jesus 00:21:29.219 --> 00:21:30.019 is the son 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.759 par excellence 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:32.039 because he says 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.339 I only do 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.680 what I see my father doing. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:37.259 I only do the work 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.619 that I see my dad doing. 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:41.240 And so when he adopts us 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:41.779 as sons 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.960 he adopts us 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.779 to do what he's doing. 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.279 To put his character 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.359 on full display. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:49.059 To mirror what he's like 00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:50.160 to the watching world. 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.400 God. 00:21:51.300 --> 00:21:52.580 I've adopted you 00:21:52.580 --> 00:21:53.880 to sonship 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:55.980 to display what I'm like. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:57.240 What does this look like? 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.120 Well surely the first thing 00:21:59.120 --> 00:22:00.019 is that we're always 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:01.120 stepping towards people 00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:01.759 in grace. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.840 No matter who they are. 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.060 Not because they're 00:22:05.060 --> 00:22:05.880 meritorious 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:06.640 or virtuous 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.980 but because we're 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.259 reflecting what God is like. 00:22:09.360 --> 00:22:10.700 That he steps towards us. 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:12.080 The first great 00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:13.019 spiritual blessing 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.000 that Paul says 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:15.600 is that we're chosen 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.220 and adopted 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.340 by God. 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:20.599 Second spiritual blessing 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.799 and these are less controversial 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.980 so we'll spend less time. 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.779 Is that we're redeemed 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.799 and forgiven. 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.720 We don't really have 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.879 the concept of redemption 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.579 in our world. 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.839 I guess the closest we get 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:34.459 is when you buy your laptop 00:22:34.459 --> 00:22:35.980 back from cash converters. 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.639 Or you get your wedding ring 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.819 back from the pawnbrokers 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:40.019 if it's gone really bad. 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.039 Either way. 00:22:44.199 --> 00:22:44.939 Redemption though 00:22:44.939 --> 00:22:46.199 is absolutely tied 00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:47.099 to slavery. 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:50.259 And the problem 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.799 we have 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.659 when we think of slavery 00:22:51.659 --> 00:22:52.480 is we think of 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:54.039 American colonialism. 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.819 But in the Roman world 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.819 you could become a slave 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:59.019 for a number of reasons. 00:22:59.139 --> 00:22:59.639 One would be 00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:00.500 military conquest. 00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:02.439 But the main way 00:23:02.439 --> 00:23:03.259 you became a slave 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.379 is you became bankrupt. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.759 So if I was living 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.220 in Ephesus 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.899 I'd think 00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:09.199 I'm going to open 00:23:09.199 --> 00:23:10.139 a perfume shop. 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.919 And I open it 00:23:11.919 --> 00:23:13.119 in downtown Ephesus 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:14.220 and it goes really well 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:14.779 for a while. 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:17.019 But then competition 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.579 increases 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.839 and demand decreases 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:20.319 and the bills rise 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:20.920 and there's more 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.180 going out than coming in 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:24.000 and I can't cope 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.920 I can't keep up. 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.960 But I can't declare 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.759 myself bankrupt 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:29.059 because there's no 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.119 bankruptcy laws. 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.240 I can't call in 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.839 the receivers. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.359 I have to sell myself 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:35.039 into slavery 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.000 until I've paid back 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.899 the debt that I owe. 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.299 And the only way 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.859 I'll get out 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:39.819 is either that I pay 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.940 the debt back myself 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:42.200 or somebody 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:43.779 pays it for me. 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:46.099 This is exactly 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:46.700 what has happened 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.359 in the gospel. 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:50.259 That we by choice 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.200 and compulsion 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.720 have sold ourselves 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.500 voluntarily 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.359 and absolutely 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:56.220 into slavery 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.599 of sin. 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.539 We've accrued 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.879 an insurmountable debt 00:24:00.879 --> 00:24:01.579 that even given 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.420 all eternity 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:03.759 we could never pay back. 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.799 And yet God 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:07.059 steps towards us 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:07.740 in grace 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:09.599 and he pays it for us 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.379 but he doesn't do 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:11.240 a bank transfer. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.279 He doesn't use 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.019 his mobile phone 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.680 to ping it. 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.700 He pays 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.139 with the costliest 00:24:17.139 --> 00:24:18.279 resource 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.339 in the whole 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.440 entire world. 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.539 He pays 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.319 with the blood 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.680 of his own 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.339 son. 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.680 And as he dies 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.440 our death 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.319 in our place 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.220 for our sin 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.240 he holds out 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.960 to us forgiveness 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.720 and life. 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.519 Spiritual blessing 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.180 number two 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.480 is redemption 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.240 and forgiveness. 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:40.599 Putting grace 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:42.460 on glorious display 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:44.819 God is that good. 00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:46.779 Now perhaps 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.160 you're here 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:47.660 this morning 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.160 and you don't 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.360 know this Jesus 00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:49.900 you don't know 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.259 what it is 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.860 to be redeemed 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.400 and forgiven 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.000 and actually 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.920 if you're honest 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:54.180 you think 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.700 I don't really 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.279 need it. 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.180 I'm not really 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:57.579 a sinner 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.380 God could really 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.100 have no beef 00:24:59.100 --> 00:24:59.600 with me. 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:01.299 I'm really 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.240 not a slave. 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.880 Well I want 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.259 to lend you 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:04.660 the church 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:05.319 for a week. 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.099 I want to lend 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.799 you the church 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.740 to put a display 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.859 up of your life 00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:11.240 and we're going 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:12.160 to display it all. 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.079 We're going 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.460 to display 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.200 every thought 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.880 and attitude 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:15.700 idea 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.599 and word 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.259 you've said. 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:17.880 We're going 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.460 to plaster 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.059 the whole thing. 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:19.859 It's a good job 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.400 we've got such 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:20.980 a big church 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:21.319 because some 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:21.519 of you 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.200 look quite old. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.099 Now there'll be 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.599 some bits 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.240 that you really 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:25.680 want to show 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.140 people. 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.519 Look at this 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:27.940 this is where 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:28.319 I got my 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:28.819 five metre 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.740 swimming badge. 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.940 Look at this 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.339 this is where 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:31.839 I got grade 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.299 eight on the 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:32.819 cello. 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:33.960 Look at this 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.420 this is where 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:34.900 I made my 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.759 first fajita. 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.519 There's some 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:38.980 bits that you'd 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.620 be really proud 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.039 of and say 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.559 come on in 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.279 and see this. 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:42.960 There'd be 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.420 other stuff 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:43.819 that you would 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.299 be appalled 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.059 if people saw 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.660 thoughts that 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.279 you'd had 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:48.460 things that 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.039 you'd done. 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:50.640 The Bible 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:51.259 will call that 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.680 sin. 00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:53.620 It's not just 00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.299 being judged 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.099 by a human 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:55.640 authority 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.519 it's being judged 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.440 by a holy God 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:57.960 whose standard 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.559 is perfect. 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.940 If that's 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.480 us 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:03.240 there's even 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.099 one square 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:04.680 inch of the 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.000 wall we 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.400 would want 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:05.859 people to 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.000 see. 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.420 We need 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:06.779 Jesus. 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:08.779 We need 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.259 redemption 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.940 and forgiveness. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.660 Number three 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:14.920 disclosed and 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.339 revealed. 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:15.980 Look at 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.579 verse 10 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.640 look at 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.019 verse 9 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.240 rather 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.680 he made 00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:19.019 known to 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.299 us the 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:19.779 mystery of 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.240 his will 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.359 according to 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:21.799 his good 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.420 purpose which 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:23.000 he purposed 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.620 in Christ 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.759 to be put 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.359 into effect 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.680 when the 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.279 times reach 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.140 their fulfilment 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:28.019 to bring 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.759 unity to 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:29.339 all things 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:29.799 in heaven 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.220 and on 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:30.539 earth 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:30.959 under 00:26:30.959 --> 00:26:31.879 Christ. 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:33.139 It's the 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:33.799 word mystery 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.220 you see 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.579 is where 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.379 we sometimes 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.000 go wrong. 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.699 He's not 00:26:36.699 --> 00:26:37.220 thinking 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.319 Hercule Poirot 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:39.279 Miss Marple 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.079 or Sherlock 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:40.399 Holmes. 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:40.879 It's not that 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.179 kind of 00:26:41.179 --> 00:26:41.480 mystery. 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.159 It's a 00:26:43.159 --> 00:26:43.599 secret 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.619 that's been 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.139 concealed 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.559 that has 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.099 now been 00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:46.579 revealed. 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:47.899 It's something 00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:48.599 that can only 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.059 be known 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.659 by being 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.579 disclosed. 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:50.720 Christ. 00:26:51.919 --> 00:26:52.359 And the 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:52.980 Bible says 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.759 that now 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.720 we know 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.359 that mystery 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.000 now we're 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.419 copied 00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:57.539 into the 00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:57.779 memo 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.319 we're now 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.619 in the 00:26:58.619 --> 00:26:58.980 divine 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.480 loop 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.480 and know 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:00.939 what all 00:27:00.939 --> 00:27:01.299 the world 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:01.799 is about 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.379 and where 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.039 it's 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.399 heading. 00:27:04.159 --> 00:27:04.720 Spiritual 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.220 blessing 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.019 number three 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.079 is that we 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:07.500 have seen 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.019 the whole 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.500 picture. 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:09.559 We've seen 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:09.980 how it 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.359 started 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:10.899 and where 00:27:10.899 --> 00:27:11.139 it's 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:11.399 heading. 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:12.319 We're 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.919 privy to 00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:13.559 the entire 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.460 eschatological 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.079 plan of 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.799 God's. 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.220 It's again 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.839 such good 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.379 news. 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.179 Because from 00:27:20.179 --> 00:27:20.679 the ground 00:27:20.679 --> 00:27:21.399 zero of 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:21.980 our lives 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.359 it seems 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:22.819 like it's 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:24.459 all out 00:27:24.459 --> 00:27:25.039 of control. 00:27:25.939 --> 00:27:26.619 Seems like 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.220 the news 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:27.699 isn't getting 00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:28.220 better. 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:28.959 Human 00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:29.679 wickedness 00:27:29.679 --> 00:27:30.039 seems to 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.419 be getting 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:31.139 worse. 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.159 Seems like 00:27:33.159 --> 00:27:33.639 it's running 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.299 amok. 00:27:35.199 --> 00:27:35.899 That there's 00:27:35.899 --> 00:27:36.480 no one at 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:36.939 the helm 00:27:36.939 --> 00:27:37.319 of the 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:37.759 universe. 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:38.699 We see 00:27:38.699 --> 00:27:39.339 ISIS and 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.019 Ebola and 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.759 Ukraine and 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.699 Jihadi John and 00:27:41.699 --> 00:27:42.279 Greece and the 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.259 financial collapse 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.539 and cancer and 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.179 Syria and 00:27:45.179 --> 00:27:45.779 Darfur and 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.319 Iraq and 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.519 Afghanistan and 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.500 Charlie Hebdo and 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.480 child poverty and 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.440 child soldiers and 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.720 child abuse and 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.619 the Danish cafe 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:53.779 atrocities in North 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:55.099 Korea, corruption, 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.319 broken promises and 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.240 a widening poverty 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.720 gap and on and on 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.200 and on and we 00:27:59.200 --> 00:27:59.980 think it's out of 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.359 control. 00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:03.279 And yet Paul tells 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:03.839 us that it's all 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:04.480 heading somewhere. 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.559 It's all heading 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:08.539 to the point where 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.579 God's patience is 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:11.740 exhausted and he 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.420 sends the Lord 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.639 Jesus and the 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.619 ultimate aim is to 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.960 bring to unity all 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:17.480 things in heaven and 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.160 on earth under 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:18.660 Christ. 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.980 That's where it's 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.240 heading. 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.620 To the time and 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.480 place where God 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.740 enforces the rule of 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:25.240 his son to rule over 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:26.700 absolutely everybody, 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.960 absolutely everywhere. 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.599 And the glorious 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.579 thing is because he's 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.680 made known that plan to 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.740 us we can be on board 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.460 with that plan before 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.000 it happens. 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.460 That's what happens in 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.240 the church. 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.660 This is like a 00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:41.319 microcosm showing what 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.140 the future is going to 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.500 look like. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.420 What draws us all 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:43.779 together? 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.960 The fact that Jesus 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.839 reigns. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.779 He reigns in each of 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.759 our lives and as he 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:50.740 reigns in each of our 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:52.140 lives he draws us 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.180 together in a family. 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:57.079 The best apologetic for 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:58.099 the church is the 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.579 church. 00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.940 The people looking in 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:01.160 go what a diverse group 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:02.500 of people who seem to 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:04.400 hang out as family and 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:05.460 yet not many of them are 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:06.519 related to each other 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.640 biologically. 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:10.600 And as the world sees 00:29:10.600 --> 00:29:11.259 that they go there is 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.000 something different. 00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:14.360 Paul tells us the 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:15.360 reason that's attractive 00:29:15.360 --> 00:29:16.120 is because that's where 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:16.780 it's all headed. 00:29:17.540 --> 00:29:18.780 To the point where 00:29:18.780 --> 00:29:20.259 everybody who loves 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.240 Jesus is gathered 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.200 together where he 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.640 rules and reigns. 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:26.240 Unity is not an 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:27.620 optional byproduct of 00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:27.640 church. 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:29.980 It's an absolute 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:33.440 necessity that we cling 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:35.100 to Jesus and cling 00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:36.040 together. 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.680 because it makes 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.680 Jesus look glorious. 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:41.639 Brings praise from 00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:42.399 our lips. 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.220 Spiritual blessing 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.899 number three is 00:29:44.899 --> 00:29:45.859 disclosed and revealed 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:46.940 and lastly sealed and 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.339 guaranteed. 00:29:50.399 --> 00:29:51.619 Do you see it there? 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:55.379 When you believed you 00:29:55.379 --> 00:29:56.319 were marked in him with 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.299 a seal the promised 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:59.319 Holy Spirit who is a 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:00.539 deposit guaranteeing our 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:02.379 inheritance until the 00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:03.960 redemption of those who 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.799 are God's possession. 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.039 This is good news. 00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:09.940 This is good news. 00:30:10.399 --> 00:30:11.180 Because when I believe 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:13.440 in Jesus the Holy 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.579 Spirit comes and dwells 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.759 within me as the 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.819 resident boss of my 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.259 life. 00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:19.539 And as he comes he 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:21.279 molds and shapes me and 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:22.779 he gives me perseverance 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.720 and things like that 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:25.099 meaning that I will get 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:25.879 to the end. 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:28.579 Meaning that I can have 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:30.039 absolute certainty. 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:32.319 When I believe in Jesus 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:34.019 I'm sealed by the Holy 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:36.039 Spirit who dwells within 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:37.059 me who's not going 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.859 anywhere and will 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:40.680 ensure and be able to 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.619 keep me until the very 00:30:41.619 --> 00:30:42.619 end like a guarantee. 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.420 Like a deposit. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:47.159 Like paying a bit of 00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:48.279 something up in advance 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.379 but quite a big chunk 00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:50.460 because you paid for it 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.440 in the blood of your son 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.559 and you have this 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:55.639 guarantee which means 00:30:55.639 --> 00:30:56.460 that there will be a 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.619 collection day at the end 00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:59.359 when it's all brought in. 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.179 Now I know what we 00:31:01.179 --> 00:31:02.059 think of guarantees. 00:31:03.419 --> 00:31:04.439 Even John Lewis. 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:06.419 We root around for the 00:31:06.419 --> 00:31:06.779 receipt. 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.579 Still within guarantee 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.479 and you take it and you 00:31:09.479 --> 00:31:10.419 hold the two things and 00:31:10.419 --> 00:31:11.799 look apologetically towards 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.919 them and just hope 00:31:12.919 --> 00:31:13.599 they're going to say yes 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.399 or no whether the 00:31:14.399 --> 00:31:15.619 deposit and guarantee is 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.239 still available. 00:31:17.379 --> 00:31:18.439 This guarantee is 00:31:18.439 --> 00:31:19.339 absolutely sure. 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.519 It's lifelong. 00:31:21.879 --> 00:31:22.939 It'll last you all of 00:31:22.939 --> 00:31:23.559 your life. 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:25.359 And if we will but 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:26.459 trust in Jesus 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:29.240 sealed and guaranteed 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.799 and welcomed 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:32.380 forever by God. 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.819 I went down to see 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:37.500 Ruth last Monday. 00:31:38.840 --> 00:31:40.759 So frail and so weak 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.819 and yet so steadfast 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:43.460 in her love for the 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:43.940 Lord. 00:31:45.100 --> 00:31:45.980 Because she had 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:47.019 absolute confidence 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:49.059 that it wasn't how 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:50.059 hard she could cling 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:50.720 to him. 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:53.200 It was how much 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:55.059 he was holding 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.779 on to her. 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.500 Because she knew 00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:58.539 what it was to trust 00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.600 Jesus to be indwelt 00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:00.519 by the Holy Spirit 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.940 and to be sealed 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:02.759 and guaranteed. 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:04.840 Which has been 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:05.539 cashed in 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.500 just yesterday. 00:32:07.640 --> 00:32:08.079 And she is 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.840 welcome forever 00:32:08.840 --> 00:32:09.680 in the Lord Jesus. 00:32:12.380 --> 00:32:13.720 It's great spiritual 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.559 blessings here. 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:19.519 Chosen and adopted. 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.519 forgiven and redeemed. 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:32.319 And what are we to do 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:32.559 with it? 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.279 Well we're to praise 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.759 God. 00:32:34.639 --> 00:32:35.559 We're to thank him 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.740 that he's been so good 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:38.099 and gracious and kind 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:39.019 to each of us. 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.599 This isn't meant to be 00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:41.660 theological ranting. 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.579 This is meant to 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.859 spark our hearts 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:45.099 and kindle praise 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.440 from our lives. 00:32:46.440 --> 00:32:48.519 The second thing 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:49.400 is all over this 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.460 chapter is 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.360 in Christ 00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:52.299 in the beloved 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:53.120 in him 00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:54.240 eleven times 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:54.960 in him 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.620 in him 00:32:55.620 --> 00:32:56.340 in him 00:32:56.340 --> 00:32:58.200 and therefore 00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:59.100 what are we to do? 00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:00.980 Well if we want to 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.620 take hold of these 00:33:01.620 --> 00:33:02.420 spiritual blessings 00:33:02.420 --> 00:33:03.100 more and more 00:33:03.100 --> 00:33:04.120 it's about walking 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.140 closer and closer 00:33:05.140 --> 00:33:05.860 with Jesus 00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:07.960 that all of our lives 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.559 would be found 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.100 in him 00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:10.160 all of our lives 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.700 would be lived 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:11.460 for him 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:13.000 that he would take 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:14.019 everything from us 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.820 because he alone 00:33:14.820 --> 00:33:15.360 is worthy. 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:17.740 Therefore how do we 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.500 take hold of this 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.459 and become praiseful 00:33:19.459 --> 00:33:19.879 people? 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.839 By being in him 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:23.559 and fully in him. 00:33:23.659 --> 00:33:24.339 Here's number three. 00:33:25.679 --> 00:33:26.419 We have absolute 00:33:26.419 --> 00:33:27.079 security. 00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:28.719 God has chosen 00:33:28.719 --> 00:33:30.000 in the past 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:31.539 keeps us in the present 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.240 and he'll get us 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:33.039 through to the end 00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:34.179 and therefore it 00:33:34.179 --> 00:33:35.139 frees us to live 00:33:35.139 --> 00:33:36.459 risky, bold, 00:33:36.879 --> 00:33:37.439 outrageous, 00:33:37.659 --> 00:33:38.319 radical lives 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:38.740 for him. 00:33:40.439 --> 00:33:41.500 To go out there 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.659 and be the sons 00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:43.639 that he's called us 00:33:43.639 --> 00:33:43.939 to be 00:33:43.939 --> 00:33:44.839 to put his character 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:45.639 on full display 00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.459 to the world. 00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:48.259 To be gracious 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.079 and loving. 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:51.220 To disclose the plan 00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:51.699 of God 00:33:51.699 --> 00:33:52.240 to anyone 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.319 we come into contact 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:53.720 with. 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:55.459 Because we're free. 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:58.399 Finally and fully free. 00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:01.159 Free to be the people 00:34:01.159 --> 00:34:02.399 that God has called us 00:34:02.399 --> 00:34:03.359 to be. 00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:05.419 Living life 00:34:05.419 --> 00:34:06.919 in the light 00:34:06.919 --> 00:34:07.899 of these spiritual 00:34:07.899 --> 00:34:08.940 blessings. 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:10.759 And therefore I think 00:34:10.759 --> 00:34:11.639 we can simply say 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:12.179 with Paul. 00:34:13.379 --> 00:34:14.679 Praise be to the God 00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.139 and Father 00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:16.579 of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:18.179 who has blessed 00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:19.239 each of us 00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:22.079 in the heavenly realms 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:23.980 with every 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:26.099 spiritual blessing. 00:34:26.799 --> 00:34:27.500 Let's pray. 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:37.880 Father God 00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:38.679 you have been so 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:39.760 kind to us. 00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:41.760 You've been so 00:34:41.760 --> 00:34:43.119 good to us. 00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:46.239 Father you've loved us 00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:47.079 even though we were 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:47.639 unlovable. 00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:50.880 You chose us 00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:51.980 even though no one else 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:53.340 would ever choose us. 00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:55.260 Because you love us 00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:55.900 that much. 00:34:57.720 --> 00:34:58.540 Therefore Lord 00:34:58.540 --> 00:34:59.440 may this love 00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:00.300 be at work 00:35:00.300 --> 00:35:01.100 in our lives. 00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:02.960 May your spirit 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:03.940 that lives within us 00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:05.120 be changing us 00:35:05.120 --> 00:35:07.320 and equipping us 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:08.240 and enabling us 00:35:08.240 --> 00:35:09.180 to put your character 00:35:09.180 --> 00:35:10.120 on full display. 00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:13.100 Father we love you 00:35:13.100 --> 00:35:13.660 and we want to 00:35:13.660 --> 00:35:14.220 praise you more 00:35:14.220 --> 00:35:15.040 so keep these things 00:35:15.040 --> 00:35:16.200 fresh in our lives. 00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:17.780 Sear these truths 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.620 on our hearts. 00:35:19.700 --> 00:35:20.060 And Father 00:35:20.060 --> 00:35:20.860 may we realize 00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:21.440 afresh today 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:22.240 that we are free 00:35:22.240 --> 00:35:23.020 to be yours. 00:35:23.660 --> 00:35:25.020 Maybe for the first time. 00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:26.760 Or maybe for the 00:35:26.760 --> 00:35:27.900 hundredth and first time. 00:35:28.700 --> 00:35:29.460 Father come and take 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:29.960 your place 00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:31.060 in our lives we pray. 00:35:31.740 --> 00:35:32.600 In Jesus name. 00:35:33.200 --> 00:35:33.420 Amen. 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:33.520 Amen.